Holidays on Gran Canaria

The volcanic activity that created the Canary Islands has left behind a magnificent legacy. Perhaps the most scenic of the Canarian
archipelago, Gran Canaria boasts a stunning mountainous interior where rugged ravines and gaping gulleys become more fertile and lush with
altitude. Winding roads snake up mountainsides to pretty whitewashed villages surrounded by spiky cacti. In contrast, bright and breezy coastal
resorts bustle with life and excitement and play host to a superb selection of shops, restaurants and bars as well as long stretches of golden,
sandy beaches where you can bask beneath the sub-tropical sun.

Beaches
Most people come here for the beaches. Nature has conspired to create an idyll that unfailingly tempts sun worshippers back to its sublime
shores year after year. The long stretch of golden sand that characterises the south coast is the main attraction. You can choose between
basking on the popular beaches of Playa del Ingles and Puerto Rico or finding your own secluded spot amongst the dunes of Maspalomas. As you'd
expect from a major resort, there are a plethora of watersports to choose from.

Shopping
Las Palmas is undoubtedly the best place to shop. Here you will find all the shops you'd expect in a large city from chic boutiques to souvenir
stalls. Playa del Ingles has less range but you won't be short of tourist trinkets. There is also a large shopping centre called Yumbo Centre
where you can buy everything from electrical goods to the latest beach trends and fashions.

Nightlife
Playa del Ingles is the Canary Islands' party capital. Once the sun sinks below the horizon, the resort's promenades and streets come alive
with music and the sound of clinking glasses and funky beats. The island's capital, Las Palmas, also plays host to a lively hotspot. Playa de
las Canteras is the capitals clubbing zone where you'll find bars and discos.

Gran Canaria's main tourist areas lie on the island's south coast. Here bays curve and melt into one another forming what seems to be an
endless golden beach. The wind-sculpted sand dunes at Maspalomas are almost a mile wide and stretch for as far as the eye can see. The
undulating dunes provide numerous quiet spots so you can spend a tranquil day in the sun while children will be in their element in this
natural playground.

Local Specialities
Gran Canaria's large resorts and towns offer all varieties of international food. Local Canarian cuisine is based around the sea life of the
Atlantic and the indigenous fruit and vegetables. Try 'arroz con verduras', a sumptuous combination of rice with chopped peppers, sweetcorn and
tomatoes or 'potaje de berros', a hearty soup made from watercress, pork, corn on the cob, potatoes, broad beans and flavoured with fresh
cumin. To finish off your meal why not try a 'bienmesabe', a mixture of honey, almond cream, eggs and rum. Otherwise you can indulge all your
fruity desires with some fresh mango, banana or papaya.

Thomson Holidays have over 100 package holiday resorts around the world. We have provided details of the most popular locations. However, you can use the search facility at the top of this page to search for a holiday in any of Thomson Holiday's package holiday resorts.

Thomas Cook Holidays have over 100 package holiday resorts around the world. We have provided details of the most popular locations. However, you can use the search facility at the top of this page to search for a holiday in any of Thomas Cook's package holiday resorts.

Portland Holidays have 1000's of package holiday resorts around the world. We have provided details
of the most popular locations. However, you can use the search facility at the top of this page to
search for a holiday in any of Portland Holiday's package holiday resorts.